Swedish high jumper Emma Green-Tregaro painted her fingernails in the colours of the rainbow flag for Thursday's qualifying competition at the World Championships in Moscow.

"I wouldn't say it was a protest - more of a statement of what I think," said the 28-year-old.

"I usually do my nails in something that feels good for me and it was a simple way of showing what I think."

She is clearly not in touch with the rest of the world. I'm surprised her management didn't advise her to be a little more cautious with throwing her views out there. This is clearly very damning for her as a global superstar

Denise Lewis

Swedish sprinter Moa Hjelmer also painted her nails.

Isinbayeva, whose image has been selling the Championships to Muscovites in much the same way Jessica Ennis-Hill promoted London 2012, added: "Everyone can participate, everyone can compete, but of course if they will promote sexual relations outside in the street it won't be respectable for a lot of our citizens because we are all, from inside of us, against it.

"We are against publicity but we are not of course about every choice of every single person. It's their life, it's their choice, it's their feelings, but we're just against the publicity in our country and I support that.

"We are Russians. Maybe we are different than European people, than other people from different lands. We have our law which everyone has to respect. It's my opinion also."

The law was passed in June and prescribes heavy fines for anyone providing information about homosexuality to people under the age of 18.

US athlete Nick Symmonds, who dedicated his 800m silver to gay and lesbian friends to highlight Russia's new legislation, told BBC Radio 5 live: "It blows my mind that such a young, well-travelled, educated woman would be so far behind the times.

"For most athletes from my generation it's not an issue, for the most part we believe in equality.

"I really wanted to compete with a rainbow sticker but it was suggested if I pushed it too far there was a serious possibility I'd go to prison.

"Serious injustices need to be pointed out. I came out here to win a medal but if I can bring this important subject some attention, that's something I'd like to do."

Lewis said: "She is clearly not in touch with the rest of the world. I'm surprised her management didn't advise her to be a little more cautious with throwing her views out there. This is clearly very damning for her as a global superstar."

Isinbayeva's gold medals

Olympics: 2004 & 2008

World Championships: 2005, 2007 & 2013

European Championships: 2006

World Indoor Championships: 2004, 2006, 2008 & 2012

And former US track star Johnson told BBC Sport: "She is very popular over here with a small group of people who are very powerful and who probably buy into that view in this country. It is very flawed judgement and a very flawed opinion."